Chapter four - Strange woman

"I married a second wife with two girls so that you can have a mother figure. To alleviate your loneliness and provide you with two sisters who can engage in playful activities, but I fail to comprehend your unfavorable feelings toward them. Nicole is a nice woman, and you should give her the chance to be your mother. I know she cannot take your mom's place in your heart, but at least give her a chance to prove she can take care of you." When he noticed that I didn't respond, he sighed softly and quietly left my room. That night, I wept myself to sleep once more.

A year later, Dad got extremely sick and was diagnosed with stage three cardiovascular disease. The doctor said it was due to the excessive drinking of alcohol and had caused damage to his heart. Dad admitted to having been drinking a couple of glasses a few days during the week but not as much as he did before. Only a few to keep his mind off thinking. I was saddened and hurt; somehow I began to blame myself.

If I hadn't been giving him too much trouble, he wouldn't have gone back to drinking. I went to him one day and cried that I was sorry. He cleaned my tears and told me it wasn't my fault, and ever since, I have barely left his side. When I got back from school, I went straight to his room because he was home hospitalized. I feared that he would also leave anytime soon, as Mom did.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of those memories, and looked down at my watch as it said it was nearing eight-thirty. I got up on my feet, then glanced around while stretching my legs, feeling the aches relieve me. I've been sitting for nearly an hour.

Making my way through the coldest night ever, I hide my face in my hands to warm my cheeks with my breath. It was getting too late, and I heard that the streets weren't too safe to walk alone these days. About an animal killing people or something, I didn't care to listen to more. I don't know how animals would kill people on the street and not bad people like kidnappers or desperate thieves. This is a modern city with houses everywhere and not a forest! Where would the animals be coming from?

A zoo? I snort.

Well, I could take a bus home just in case the rumors were to be true, but I was already close to my destination about six blocks ahead, so I kept walking. By this time, the streets were still bustling with people making their way to and from their destinations. Side shops were also still open, and I believe there's nothing for me to be scared of.

Suddenly, a woman passes me by, shoveling hard into me. She stumbled a bit and almost lost her balance.

Instinctively, I turned around and grabbed her hands to keep her from falling.

Wondering if she was alright, "Are you alright, ma'am?" I asked.

She looked up to face me, and I noticed the clothes she wore were all black. A black scarf was over her head, and I barely made out her face from it.

I felt her eyes trail on me in the dark, letting out a wide smile, and immediately, a shiver made its way down my spine. I didn't know if it was because of the cold breeze, but then my heart started beating fast.

Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around me and nodded at her before turning to scamper off when she grabbed my right arm, stopping me, and I froze in fear.

Gathering up a little courage, I smacked my arm away from hers, causing hers to drop, and quickly took some steps back.

I carefully scan her again, hoping she's not some crazy woman or some assassin sent to kill me, but she seems okay.

I guess.

"Leyla," I hear her say, her voice so quiet that I barely hear it.

I frown in confusion.

"Sorry?" I asked, letting out a shaky breath.

As I glanced around, I observed that the surroundings were becoming increasingly dim, and the number of individuals present on the street had significantly diminished; I swallowed nervously. I was unable to check the time on my watch, and my phone was in my bag, causing me to feel a strong urge to flee.

"Leyla, my dear," she repeats, this time audibly, moving closer.

She pulled down her scarf, and I could see her face now under the streetlight above us. She looked quite old, even though I already knew from her voice earlier. She had long, dark hair, and her dark eyes pierced into mine as she held my gaze.

Forcing my eyes away, I gulped."I'm s-sorry, ma'am; I'm not the person who you're looking for." I say, my green eyes glancing around once more.

"Sure is." Her lips parted into a chuckle.

Okay, that was weird, but I didn't want to wait to ask what she meant by that because I was already shaking with fear.

So I excused myself and turned around to walk away in full stride. As I did, I quickly glanced back over my shoulder to see if she was following me but was shocked when I couldn't find her standing there anymore.

Like she disappeared or something.

Now that was very strange.

Something in me stirred as I looked around, and I shivered at the feeling. Picking up my pace, I started running my way home.